Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all U.S. Citizens.

The Attorney-Advisor will provide legal advice regarding, and perform functions related to, ongoing and anticipated ICTS transaction reviews as well as related regulatory matters. This includes formulating an investigative strategy, drafting legal memoranda and legal recommendations, drafting administrative subpoenas, reviewing subpoena responses and responsive documents, interacting with outside counsel, assessing evidence, advising and preparing risk assessments, developing measures to resolve any risks, including through mitigation agreements, and making recommendations to the Secretary concerning initial and final determinations.

The Attorney-Advisor will also perform rulemaking and other legal duties related to ICTS work, as assigned.

Additional duties include:

• providing technical legal advice, particularly in connection with the Department's ICTS authorities.
• drafting and reviewing statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders that include Department equities as they pertain to ICTS.
• reviewing compliance with statutory, regulatory, and executive order requirements.
• coordinating with other Departmental and interagency offices, as necessary.
• counseling and bringing to the attention of office and Department leadership matters within the purview of the office; and briefing Department leadership on these matters.

In addition, the Attorney-Advisor will be required to carry out duties with minimal preliminary instruction and review, often requiring independent legal research, approach planning, and the development of legal recommendations related to the Department's ICTS responsibilities.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other General Attorney (Public Notice Flyer) GS-0905-11/12/13/14/15 GS-15 positions within the Office of the Secretary in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Conditions of employment

• Please send applications to ICTSattorneys@doc.gov as seen in the "How to Apply" section for instructions for submitting your resume and supporting documentation.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET security clearance and pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs.
• Must complete a two-year trial period.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/)
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• Drug Test Required: YES
• License required: BAR Certificate
• Pre-employment physical required: NO
• Bargaining Unit Position: NO
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): YES
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: WILL NOT be paid

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the Department of Commerce Attorneys and Law Clerks standards for Hiring and Advancement guidelines. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has no Group Coverage Qualification Standard for this series.

Basic qualifications for all grade levels:

• Must be a graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school; and
• You must have Active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
The minimum required experience applicants must possess at each grade level (or equivalent) is as follows:

GS-11: Applicants applying at the GS-11 grade level must have a J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

GS-12: Applicants applying at the GS-12 grade level must meet GS-11 qualifications plus one-year of legal experience, or additional relevant experience that distinguishes an entry-level attorney from the GS-11. This may include: a superior academic record; specific course work or an internship in the relevant legal area; another graduate or doctoral degree.

GS-13: Applicants applying at the GS-13 grade level must have two years of legal experience or relevant experience.

GS-14: Applicants applying at the GS-14 grade level requires at least three years of legal experience.

GS-15: Applicants applying at the GS-15 grade level requires at least four years of legal experience.

Note: The General Counsel or designee retains the discretion to waive minimum qualifications as described above, as necessary.

The ideal candidate would have:

• Experience in international law and/or national security law;
• Experience promulgating rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act;
• Experience investigating matters, whether in the criminal or civil context;
• Experience litigating matters before a Federal or state court;
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex and novel legal issues and developing strategies to deal with those issues, often within short deadlines; and
• Strong writing and organizational skills.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

This position will be filled at a grade and step level commensurate with the applicant's experience. The promotion potential of this position is up to GS15. Promotion to GS15 is neither guaranteed nor implied.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applicants will be rated based on their education, experience, demonstrated legal research and writing abilities, and performance during the interview process.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the above qualifications. Applicants will be related based on their education, experience, demonstrated legal research and writing abilities; and performance during the interview process.

If the candidate is eligible and meets basic qualifications, the candidate's application package will be evaluated in conjunction with submitted documents, including resume, based on the following attributes:

1. Knowledge of research strategies and techniques sufficient to research complex legal issues. The issues researched are almost always factually complex and are in areas of law which are in continual state of growth and evolution, thus requiring atypical and innovative research;
2. Knowledge of and experience in litigation techniques and strategies, as well as of conducting investigations or drafting and reviewing Federal regulations;
3. Ability to effectively communicate with diverse clients and constituencies on varied and complex topics;
4. Ability to write clearly, concisely, and persuasively, with particular emphasis on the ability to analyze and explain complex legal issues;
5. Ability to communicate effectively orally with diverse clients and constituencies on varied and complex topics;
6. Ability to maintain effective working and reporting relationships with interagency peers, subject-matter experts, support staff, and management officials;
7. Ability to organize work effectively to meet established deadlines and priorities.

There are no numerical rating systems through which to apply veterans preference; however, the Office of the General Counsel favorably considers veterans preference eligibility in hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume. If selected, additional information may be required.